Value Of Vitamins Overstated?

Scientific studies are casting doubts about vitamins serving as the cure-all for a variety of human ailments. Especially at issue is the benefit of mega-doses.

About a week ago, a clinical trial study concluded vitamins E and C had no effect on cancer rates for men. Another study found no effect on heart disease.

And further, a trial last month on vitamin E and selenium’s impact on prostate cancer was postponed because of concern about harmful effects. Doctors also recently reported that vitamin C protects both cancerous and healthy cells.

Vitamins, such as B12, supplement the elderly; folic acid helps women; and calcium and Vitamin D for women over 65 are beneficial.

But more than a decade of research is concluding that taking large doses of vitamins provides no general benefit.

Good & Bad Points of Vitamins

Scientists in March concluded children who take vitamin D may reduce the effect of Type 1 diabetes when they reach adulthood by as much as 30 percent.

Health expert, Dr. John Briffa, says the study is “another piece in the ever-growing body of evidence linking vitamin D and sunlight with benefits for health and disease-protection in both adults and children.”

The American Academy of Pediatrics in October recommended that young children and babies get more vitamin D to help prevent Parkinson’s disease and other disorders. The AAP recommends infants take double the amount of vitamin D previously recommended.

But other recent studies have suggested vitamins and supplements are ineffective, or even possibly harmful. The makers of the popular multivitamin supplement Airborne agreed to a $23.3 million class-action settlement for claiming the product cures and prevents colds.

An April review by the Copenhagen University Hospital in Denmark of 67 health studies found that ingesting vitamins A and E and the supplement beta-carotene might actually raise the risk of premature death.

The Guardian, a UK newspaper, reports “vitamin A was linked to a 16 percent increased risk of dying, beta-carotene to a 7 percent increased risk, and vitamin E to a 4 percent increased risk.”

The New York Times notes researchers have been reporting on the negative effects of vitamins for more than a decade.

A 1994 study in Finland found that beta-carotene increased the incidence of lung cancer in smokers, and vitamin users among workers exposed to asbestos demonstrated an increase for lung cancer and death from heart disease.

Find Facts Before Dosing

In response to the latest news about vitamins E and C, Ginger Marks of The National Ledger concludes that people who are confused about the health benefits of supplements should consult a medical professional.

“Many believe that vitamins are a cure-all and help protect against lousy eating and exercise habits,’’ Marks says. “Consult your doctor; find out how much you should be eating, what particular vitamins you should be taking, and exercise. Don’t spend your money on anything without doing the research.”

If you are wondering how to maintain your health without taking supplements, Fran Berkoff of the Toronto Sun recommends to readers that the vitamins found naturally in foods are always best.

“While some of the studies question the value of taking supplements, none so far question the value of eating foods rich in these antioxidants,’’ Berkoff says. “The benefit of a rich diet in these compounds may be that they act in combination with other ingredients that are naturally found in foods.”

For instance, it may include other vitamins, minerals, natural plant chemicals and fiber. And, it may be this synergistic effect that provides you with the positive antioxidant benefit, Berkoff says.

We at WMB believe many people may want to give up taking vitamins altogether because of the conflicting information over effectiveness.

By referencing Web guides to dietary supplements and consulting with your physician, you should be able to sort fact from fiction and come up with a dietary plan that boosts your chances at achieving optimal health.

This post is by TechMan, WMB co-author who blogs about trends, ideas, issues affecting business, industry, technology and consumers.